An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi on Wednesday rejected the police’s request for the physical remand of Muhajir Qaumi Movement chairman Afaq Ahmed, instead ordering his judicial remand.
Afaq was arrested in connection with two arson cases in Karachi’s Awami Colony and Landhi areas, where unidentified individuals reportedly set cargo trucks on fire.
The court, however, questioned the legitimacy of the terrorism charges invoked in the case.
During the hearing, the judge expressed scepticism over the allegations, remarking, “How and why was the terrorism clause applied in this case?” He further stated that if the case lacked sufficient evidence, it could be dismissed outright.
The court also took a critical stance on political arrests, noting that imprisoning politicians often enhances their popularity.
“A gentleman is already in jail and not being controlled, now another one is being asked to go out, and he is refusing to do so,” the judge remarked.
Afaq Ahmed was taken into custody on Tuesday, following reports of three cargo vehicles and a water tanker being torched in different areas of Karachi, including Sharifabad and Surjani Town. The police presented him in court seeking physical remand, which was denied by the ATC.
Transporters in Karachi launched a protest on Tuesday in response to a series of incidents involving heavy vehicles being set on fire.
Protesters blocked major city entry points, including roads leading to Port Qasim, Hub Chowki, and New Sabzi Mandi, leading to disruptions in trafficThe transporters have demanded enhanced security measures from the government to prevent further incidents.
The unrest followed a deadly accident earlier during the day, when a motorcyclist, 30-year-old Sadiq Ahmed, was killed in a collision with a dumper truck near Musharraf Colony in Hawks Bay.
The dumper driver fled the scene, but the police have taken the vehicle into custody and are searching for the driver.
Meanwhile, two more vehicles—a water tanker and a trailer—were set on fire by unidentified individuals in separate incidents, raising the total number of vehicles torched since the morning to four. The police have initiated investigations into the fires, and authorities are working to address the growing concerns regarding public safety.
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